The former music teacher of Amy Winehouse and Jessie J has backed Theresa May's move to open new grammar schools.

Adrian Packer said he supported her move to lift the 18-year ban on new selective schools as long as they operated a 'progressive' selection process rather than a 'once-in-a-lifetime test'.

And he said the selective schools must include 'creative' and 'technical' grammars that will select pupils on the basis of their talents rather than purely their academic abilities.

Adrian Packer, pictured second left, said he supported her move to lift the 18-year ban on new selective schools as long as they operated a 'progressive' selection process rather than a 'once-in-a-lifetime test'

The backing of Mr Packer, who is now head of the academy chain at the centre of Birmingham's Trojan Horse scandal and was artistic director of the Croydon performing arts college Brit, which taught the likes of pop stars Amy Winehouse and Jessie J, is a major boost for Mrs May's hopes of building public support for grammar schools.

The Prime Minister faces a tough task of winning parliamentary approval for her plans but hopes that allowing selection at different ages up to 16, as well as strict conditions on schools that select pupils, will win over Tory sceptics in the Commons.

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A two-month consultation on her plans closed this month and Education Secretary Justine Greenins is drawing up draft legislation for next year.

Writing in The Times today, Mr Packer said: 'I envisage a system in which these types of schools become a new kind of grammar: a creative grammar school.

The backing of Mr Packer, who is now head of the academy chain at the centre of Birmingham's Trojan Horse scandal and was artistic director of the Croydon performing arts college Brit, which taught the likes of pop stars Amy Winehouse and Jessie J, is a major boost for Mrs May's hopes of building public support for grammar schools

'There could be scope for other categories, such as technical grammar schools, where skills as diverse as engineering and sport are nurtured.

'They would be 100per cent selective, specialising in high-quality standards and priding themselves on high levels of progression into the creative and technical industries, which are vital to our economy.'